Up, Up and Away!

Away from my computer until after the 4th - have a lovely holiday with your loved ones!

Notes on Meekness

These are a few of my notes from another part in the series on meekness that Nancy Leigh DeMoss is airing this week on the radio program "Revive Our Hearts."

Meekness:

* bridles/controls our anger
* curbs our tongue
* helps us think before we speak
* slows us down
* reminds us that we, too, are sinners

In relation to meekness involving our relationships, remember:

* Examine who and what we're really angry about. Focus on the "who" by remembering that this is our dear husband, precious child, etc. Think about what they really did - is it worth losing my peace over? Is there any great harm in stuffing it instead of becoming angry? Use discernment in our meekness in knowing when to stuff and when to confront. Even in rebuking, meekness must reign. Ask: If God were as angry with me as I am with others, what would become of me?
* Those that provoke us are an instrument in God's hand to sanctify us. Don't let others disturb my peace. Don't be controlled by other's behavior. Any provocation can be used for our good if we allow it. He uses those who offend, annoy, hurt and bug us to mold us in holiness and purify us.
* My children are God's heavenly sandpaper! Allow God to use them for my good and for my training as well as their's.
* Meekness is first a matter of the heart - it then comes out through my words and actions.
* In each situation, ask: Is there meekness in my spirit?

Caleb's Barn

This is a recent project of Caleb's which he decided to move into the pasture for some outdoor fun. It's become a popular place for a few of the younger cousins to visit.


When I photographed the barn the other evening, I saw that the cows had been put to bed for the night.

Meadow Tea

Meadow tea is simply what we call the wild tea that grows in various places around our farm. Our largest patch happens to be the meadow behind the barnyard. Lots of different types of tea are available at most nurseries - spearmint, peppermint, applemint, lemon mint, etc. You can buy a pot or two and transplant them for your own supply of tea. NOTE: Tea is very hardy and very invasive - don't put it anywhere that you don't want a lot of it! As you cut it, tea will continue to grow back. This year for the first time, I'm going to try and dry some. I gathered a bunch, rinsed it, tied it at the end with a ribbon and then hung it up in the attic. After it dries, I plan to strip the leaves, crumple them and store them in a glass jar put in a dark place. Hopefully, we'll be able to enjoy meadow tea this the winter.

To make iced meadow tea: gather a large bunch of tea, rinse it and place it in a large pot of cold, fresh water. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Turn off and allow to sit for an hour or two. Pour the tea through a strainer and into a container. You can add sweetener while the tea is still hot or add it later to each glass per individual taste. Allow to cool in frig.

Going West

For the rest of the week, Eli will be sharing photos from his grandparents' trip out west. Click here to view some of their beautiful photos.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY - June 22, 2009

Outside my window . . . a new sunrise.

I am thinking . . . that I have MUCH to do today!

I am thankful . . . that we had such a sweet afternoon yesterday of driving and exploring.

From the learning rooms . . . Eli is enjoying a unit study on "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George, they all continue to learn about goats, and Caleb is doing yet another woodworking project - spiffing up a wooden barn he made.

From the kitchen . . . meadow tea and, if I have enough berries, raspberry shortcake.

I am praying . . . that I would be enthralled with Him.

I am wearing . . . my pink nightgown and purple robe.

I am going . . . to make an unscheduled appointment to the orthodontist with Eli whose having some trouble with the metal in his mouth!

I am reading . . . "What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" by Voddie Baucham Jr. (I need to finish this up!)

I am hearing . . . birdsong.

Around the house . . . weeding asparagus, making meadow tea, doing laundry, making some phone calls, preparing homeschool paperwork for the new year.

One of my favorite things . . . watching the goats explore their new pen in the pasture.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . weeding the gardens, a trip to the library, writing a thank you note for last week's luncheon, making strawberry jam if time.

Here is a picture thought of the vintage picnic basket that I love to use for picnics - I bought it at an auction for $5 one summer:


The Simple Woman's Daybook is an original creation of Peggy's. As Peggy is taking the summer off from hosting the Daybook, Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. If you'd like to participate and/or view other's Daybooks, click here.

The Raspberries Are In

Our black raspberries have just begun to come in this week. The boys went out this afternoon between rain showers and picked several handfuls to lay out on the kitchen table to dry. Just enough to add to our pancakes tomorrow morning . . .

Meekness

At the end of this week, Nancy Leigh DeMoss began an excellent series on meekness on her radio program "Revive Our Hearts." The series continues next week in which Nancy will be discussing what meekness is, what it looks like in one's life and how to cultivate it. For more information and/or to find a broadcast of this program in your area, visit www.reviveourhearts.com.

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

2 C. water
1 C. sugar
1/4 C. cornstarch
1 - .3 oz. (small box) of Sugar Free Strawberry Jello
A dash of salt
Two baked pie crusts
Sliced strawberries

Combine water, sugar and cornstarch; bring to a boil. Add Jello to hot liquid. Add salt. Fill crusts with sliced berries. Pour hot liquid over the berries. Place in frig and allow to set before serving. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Lunch in a Garden

Yesterday my friend, Candy, and I had lunch at a mutual friend's home - actually, we had our annual luncheon in her beautiful garden. Our friend, Terry, trained to be a pastry chef in England - you can imagine how good the food was! We had such a relaxing afternoon of catching up, enjoying the beauty of the garden, and watching hummingbirds and other birds fly around us.

Terry spoiled us with:
* Cherry-Cheese Scones with Orange Marmalade Butter
* A plate of Ham & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups with Onion Powder and Egg Salad Sandwiches with Chives and a Garnish of Strawberries on Mint Leaves
* Iced Lemon Tea & Lemonade
* Individual Black Forest Trifles (with chocolate cake, cherries, rich chocolate pudding and whipped cream)

Delicious and beautiful -

More Goats!

Eli is in his glory. Saturday afternoon, two more goats showed up at our door. Nellie is a beautifully marked yearling and Boots is a two-month-old female who looks like she's wearing white boots on her front hooves. They are keeping Izzy company - though she's not too sure about Nellie who likes to lord it over Izzy that she's bigger!

Yet again, out of the blue, someone just gave us these goats. Actually, God gave us these goats. He has this thing for delighting the hearts of little boys.

Cook-Out

Saturday evening was our annual Youth Group Cook-Out here at the farm. We've been doing it for a number of years, and it's become something that our family looks forward to doing. Though it involves a good bit of work, it's a great motivation to get some good cleaning and tidying up done!

We had 40+ people here - mostly teens, of course, but several whole families as well. We had grilled burgers and dogs along with other picnic foods and ice cream with toppings later in the evening. The kids kept busy - the goat pen was a popular place to visit, the paddleboat on the pond a hit, and a big pile of men and boys played volleyball on the sandcourt. The evening ended with several rounds of tug-of-war - the last with all the kids on one side and the adults on the other (which the adults did manage to win)!

One of my favorite memories of the evening is when a little two-year-old boy asked in his sweet baby voice if he could have some chocolate "ketchup" (syrup) on his ice cream. : ) Another sweet benefit - a beautiful strawberry pie and a half-gallon of homemade banana ice cream for hostess gifts!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY - June 15, 2009

Outside my window . . . a beautiful, bright summer day (I HAVE to get out there to hoe before it gets too warm!)

I am thinking . . . I am glad for a restful day after a busy weekend.

I am thankful . . . that God continues to pursue me - when I stray, He is continually working in my heart to woo me back. How thankful I am that He never lets me be at peace without Him.

From the learning rooms . . . Caleb and Eli are pouring over "The New Goat Handbook" and learning lots about goats. Ben has his nose in the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual studying for his learner's permit. (How can this be?)

From the kitchen . . . a treat of some sort for dessert tonight.

I am praying . . . that God would reveal to me that which He desires for me to see, that I would not be blinded to my sin or His grace.

I am wearing . . . my black exercise pants and daisy T-shirt from my walk this morning.

I am going . . . nowhere!

I am reading . . . "What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" by Voddie Baucham Jr.

I am hearing . . . quiet.

Around the house . . . hoeing the corn, some summer schoolwork with Eli, washing everyone's sheets, and preparation for the boys' homeschool evaluation late this afternoon.

One of my favorite things . . . enjoying a scone on the porch early in the morning before the boys are up.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . lunch in a friend's garden, a rollerskating party with a pile of the cousins, delivering homeschool paperwork to the district, making strawberry jam.

Here is a picture thought of the bouquet my sister brought me from her garden. She and her family came for a visit yesterday afternoon to see the goats, pick a few berries and enjoy strawberry pie with us.



The Simple Woman's Daybook is an original creation of Peggy's. As Peggy is taking the summer off from hosting the Daybook, Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. If you'd like to participate and/or view other's Daybooks, click here.

The Lilies Are In Bloom

A flower for the bathroom. Why not? Company's coming.

A Picnic by the Brook

"The girls left their baskets in Hester's garden and spent the rest of the afternoon rambling in the woods and fields surrounding it, discovering many pretty nooks and lanes. When they got hungry they had lunch in the prettiest spot of all . . . on the steep bank of a gurgling brook where white birches shot up out of long feathery grasses. The girls sat down by the roots and did full justice to Anne's dainties, even the unpoetical sandwiches being greatly appreciated by hearty, unspoiled appetites sharpened by all the fresh air and exercise they had enjoyed. Anne had brought glasses and lemonade for her guests, but for her own part drank cold brook water from a cup fashioned out of birch bark. The cup leaked, and the water tasted of earth, as brook water is apt to do in spring; but Anne thought it more appropriate to the occasion than lemonade."

-- From "Anne of Avonlea" by L. M. Montgomery

Rocks

One of my nephews has a wonderful rock collection - rocks he's found, as well as rocks that he's purchased at various museums. What's really cool is that he has rocks from his mother's and his grandfather's collections when they were younger.

He spread them all out on the coffee table for me to see this morning. We spent some time examining several of them with a jeweler's loupe which magnifies things 5 times. Wow. God has created amazing beauty not only on top of the earth but inside it's depths as well.

The Chickens Have Arrived

Tuesday evening we picked up our 15 Red Sexlink chickens from the Amishman we ordered them from. The chickens travelled well and are now settled nicely in the coop. They should begin giving eggs very soon. Unfortunately, our three old girls have NOT been very welcoming. They've made up a game of "hit and peck" the newbies, so they have been banned from the coop for a few days. Hopefully they'll learn to play nice!

Again and Again

"And Jesus said to her (the woman caught in adultery), "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."" -- John 8:11

As I read the account of the adulterous woman this afternoon, I wondered if this was the only time that this woman found herself in need of forgiveness from Jesus. Did she really "go and sin more"? I don't know if she did or not. I'm just guessing based on my own experience. I find myself having to constantly run to my Lord to wash my guilt of sin.

I realized anew today that the One who calls men to forgive 7 x 70 forgives men as well. Again and again and again. And again and again I pick myself back up and keep going.

"Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

Lord, Your mercy is great.

Little Holidays

Each day can be a holiday
When you cherish simple things,
Discovering the fresh delight
That sharing pleasure brings.

Perhaps a picnic planned with friends,
A concert in the park,
A chat with someone needing you,
A campfire after dark;
The strawberries of summer sun,
A clean, crisp autumn breeze,
A family walk in winter woods,
Spring's music in the trees . . .

The deepest joys of life can come
In many little ways . . .
By savoring and sharing these,
Your time makes holidays.

- by Virginia Covey Boswell from "All Holidays Cookbook" - Ideals 1964

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY - June 8, 2009

Outside my window . . . a foggy summer morning is dawning.

I am thinking . . . what a good time we had sitting out in the sunshine yesterday afternoon watching the cousins on the slip 'n slide, eating freeze pops and visiting.

I am thankful for . . . this beautiful farm God has provided where the boys have such freedom to play and enjoy life.

From the learning rooms . . . Eli is enjoying studying things up close with the new magnifier he has, Caleb has been making lots of wooden puzzles, and Ben needs a new math puzzle on the whiteboard.

From the kitchen . . . cookies of some sort this afternoon and strawberry shortcake for tonight.

I am praying . . . that God's power would be perfected in an area of weakness and that I would believe that His grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9).

I am wearing . . . my yellow nightgown and purple robe!

I am going . . . to a pizza buffet - my grandfather wants to treat us to lunch!

I am reading . . . "Lessons at Blackberry Inn" by Karen Andreola, "Thoughts for Festive Foods" by Institute Publishing Company (1964), and "What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" by Voddie Baucham Jr.

I am hearing . . . the washing machine running - I am forever doing laundry!!

Around the house . . . read-alouds this morning, a bit of math for Eli, cleaning house since it didn't get done Saturday due to yard saling and a wedding, and fixing up the chicken coop tonight in preparation for our new pullets.

One of my favorite things . . . the thought of learning something new.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a book sale, picking up our new pullets, early morning Bible study with a friend, planting zinnias, pumpkins and lima beans.

Here is a picture thought of the centerpiece from the wedding we attended Saturday afternoon:



If you want to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy here.

Rainy Day Cooking

Yesterday a friend and her children came to spend a rainy day with us. The kids scattered - some to play with Izzy and others to make movies and ride down the incredibly muddy BMX trail! They were obviously undaunted by the rain . . .

The ladies moved into the kitchen where we spent the morning preparing a hearty luncheon for ourselves with some new recipes. (Yes, the kids preferred peanut butter and jellies.)

Our delicious menu:

* Gnocchi (pasta) with Summer Vegetables
* Garden Salad with Homemade Croutons
* Double-Quick Orange Gelatin Ring
* Strawberry Lemonade
* Lemon Custard Cups
* Country Peach and Mango/Passionfruit Hot Tea

We sat down precisely at noon with Glenn Miller's orchestra in the background and thoroughly enjoyed our luncheon - cozy and comforting on a grey afternoon.

Strawberry Lemonade
6 C. water
1 1/2 C. fresh lemon juice
1 C. sugar
2 1/2 C. smashed strawberries (approx. 1 1/2 qt.)
Combine in a large pitcher and then pour by batches into a blender, blending until smooth. Serve over ice.

Road Trip

A few years ago I started the tradition of giving my mom a "road trip" as a gift for her birthday, Christmas, etc. We choose an area to visit and shop, sightsee and enjoy lunch together. On Tuesday we took a road trip for her Mother's Day gift and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. We visited an Amish gourd farm, another beautiful farm where the family makes their own cheese to sell in their quaint shop, stopped at a little Amish produce and baked goods stand for a snack of chocolate chip whoppie pies, found several bargains at two thrift shops, browsed through and enjoyed a cup of tea at a small used book store and had lunch at a lovely little farmer's market complete with bottles of homemade lemonade. My mom had such a good time and just kept saying, "I love doing this!" all throughout the day. : )

Easy Livin'?

Notes from the "Revive Our Hearts" Radio Program with Nancy Leigh DeMoss today on Joshua 17:14-18:

This passage is about the children of Joseph who were unhappy with their allotment of the Promised Land. They complained there wasn't enough good land for all the people. Joshua told them to go to their forest, clear the land and live there. He told them to go to the section still inhabited by the Canaanites and conquer it so they would have more of their land. The children of Joseph argued, but Joshua didn't give in. He knew they needed to learn to work, engage the enemy and take the land to themselves.

Application:

Is this (any area of my life in which I'm struggling) too narrow a place for me? Do I want the inheritance without the sacrifice, discipline, obedience and work?

Maximize and make the most of what God has given. The land must be tilled and the enemies destroyed - I must choose to flourish where I am.

If I'm not content with what I have, I won't be content with what I think I want.

Nor will you.

Another Sidebar Item

Just to bring to your attention a new sidebar item called "Posts I Am Enjoying." You'll find it below "The Boys' Blogs" on the right-hand side of the blog. Hope you'll be blessed as I have been reading these posts from other's blogs from time to time . . .

Baking Day

Amidst the excitement of Izzy's initiation to farm life in Skunk Hollow, I did manage to get a few things baked yesterday while also creating a huge mess in the kitchen! The baked goods:

* two loaves of bread (using 1/2 of the dough)
* a dozen + cloverleaf dinner rolls (using 1/4 of the dough)
* a dozen Schoolhouse Sweet Rolls (using 1/4 of the dough) which I turned into sticky buns
* a two-layer Yellow Cake with Mocha Butter Icing

Mocha Butter Icing
2/3 C. softened butter
6 C. 10X sugar
4 tsp. instant coffee dissolved in 1/4 C. of hot water
Blend butter and sugar thoroughly. Mix in coffee. (I had to add a bit more water to thin the icing a little more.)

Notes on icing: The original recipe was only 1/2 of these amounts which would probably have been enough icing for a 13x9 cake. Since I did a layer cake, I doubled the recipe and had a bit extra than what I needed. Also, the yellow cake with the mocha icing is delicious, but I think it would be even better spread on a chocolate cake. A definite plan for the future!

Izzy Is Here!

(Photo by Eli)

Out of the blue, we got a call yesterday afternoon asking if we would want a 6-month old Nubian goat that M.'s cousin wanted to give someone. Eli was ecstatic! Izzy was delivered right to our door and right into Eli's heart. He told me that he keeps asking himself if he's in a dream. When I asked him if he thanked God for dropping a goat right in his lap, he said, "Yes. Four times!"

At present, Izzy is bunking with Alex - a Holstein calf who lives in the barn. Izzy wants to make friends, but Alex isn't too sure about her. I'm sure that once he gets to know her, he'll warm up to her as quickly as we have.

To see more photos of Izzy, click here to enter Eli's blog.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY - June 1, 2009

Outside my window . . . my beautiful pink peonies are in bloom.

I am thinking . . . how glad I am that God dropped a goat in Eli's lap! (a post coming later)

I am thankful for . . . a sweet evening of fellowship with friends over bowls of strawberries and ice cream.

From the learning rooms . . . Eli continues his study of birds of prey, Caleb has recently finished up another woodworking project - a small artist's easel for his grandmother, and Ben and I are enjoying our weekly discussion on the book "War of Words - Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles" by Paul David Tripp.

From the kitchen . . . something with strawberries in it!

I am praying . . . that God's power would be perfected in an area of weakness and that I would believe that His grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9).

I am wearing . . . my yellow nightgown and purple robe!

I am going . . . nowhere today.

I am reading . . . "Lessons at Blackberry Inn" by Karen Andreola, "Thoughts for Festive Foods" by Institute Publishing Company (1964), and "What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" by Voddie Baucham Jr.

I am hearing . . . the cheep of a chickadee that has a nest in a birdhouse on the front porch.

Around the house . . . laundry, tidying up, picking strawberries and reading aloud to the boys.

One of my favorite things . . . the sweet smell of a summer day.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a "road trip" with my mom for a day to do a little shopping, sightseeing and lunch; a trip to the doctor's with M.'s grandmother; a wedding on Saturday; and some more bowling with the boys.

Here is a picture thought:


If you want to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy here.